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Burundi: More than 4,000 mass graves uncovered | Burundi: More than 4,000 mass graves uncovered |
(about 5 hours later) | |
More than 4,000 mass graves have been found in Burundi following an investigation by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission into conflicts since independence in 1962. | More than 4,000 mass graves have been found in Burundi following an investigation by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission into conflicts since independence in 1962. |
The commission, set up in 2018 to shed light on ethnic tensions, says it has identified 142,505 victims. | The commission, set up in 2018 to shed light on ethnic tensions, says it has identified 142,505 victims. |
Mass killings took place in 1965, 1969, 1972, 1988 and 1993. | |
Burundi's politicians are accused turning the minority Tutsi and majority Hutu communities against each other. | Burundi's politicians are accused turning the minority Tutsi and majority Hutu communities against each other. |
Commission chairperson Pierre-Claver Ndayicariye presented the report to parliament of the landlocked African country. | Commission chairperson Pierre-Claver Ndayicariye presented the report to parliament of the landlocked African country. |
"Many more mass graves are yet to be found because people who know about them are afraid to talk or are traumatised," he said. | "Many more mass graves are yet to be found because people who know about them are afraid to talk or are traumatised," he said. |
Finding out the truth of what happened would lead to forgiveness between the perpetrators and the families of the victims to "forge a peaceful future for Burundi's generations", he added. | Finding out the truth of what happened would lead to forgiveness between the perpetrators and the families of the victims to "forge a peaceful future for Burundi's generations", he added. |
On Monday, a mass grave, with up to 270 bodies, was opened to the public in the country's main city of Bujumbura. | On Monday, a mass grave, with up to 270 bodies, was opened to the public in the country's main city of Bujumbura. |
It is believed to contain the remains of those killed in clashes following the assassination of Melchior Ndadaye, the country's first elected Hutu president, in 1993. | It is believed to contain the remains of those killed in clashes following the assassination of Melchior Ndadaye, the country's first elected Hutu president, in 1993. |
His killing triggered a brutal civil war between the Tutsi-dominated army and mainly Hutu rebel groups. More than 300,000 people died in the 12-year war. | His killing triggered a brutal civil war between the Tutsi-dominated army and mainly Hutu rebel groups. More than 300,000 people died in the 12-year war. |
Some people visiting the grave in Bujumbura were able to identify people they knew from the clothes and IDs found. | Some people visiting the grave in Bujumbura were able to identify people they knew from the clothes and IDs found. |
"People were crying, there was shock," commission deputy chairperson Noah Clément Ninziza told the BBC. | "People were crying, there was shock," commission deputy chairperson Noah Clément Ninziza told the BBC. |
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